The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out - Chapter 39

“You found quite the hidden spot, didn’t you?”

“……”

Tericia said nothing, silently watching as he closed the door behind him.

Count Clu’s eyes moved slowly from the top of her head down to her feet. His half-lidded gaze gleamed with something foul.

“Standing there like that… you really do look like a proper Hespelt lady.”

He staggered toward her, reeking of alcohol. The champagne glass in his hand wobbled, its contents spilling slightly with each unsteady step.

What is he doing here…?

Tericia frowned and subtly stepped to the side. She quickly measured the distance to the balcony door. To get out, she would have to pass right by him.

Now alone with someone she never wanted to encounter again—even by accident—her heart began to beat heavily with unease.

It can’t be… but if, even by chance, he tries something—if he lays a hand on me like he did then…

I need to escape.

She glanced around the space, eyes darting subtly. On the left side of the balcony was a decorative vase placed there for ambiance. She judged the distance, then straightened her posture.

“Following a lady to a place where she’s resting alone… You must be unfamiliar with proper manners, Count Clu.”

“Manners?”

Clu scoffed, laughing as if the very idea was absurd.

“Manners, you say? I simply came to see my dear niece.”

“……”

“You, on the other hand, are the one being rude to your elders. I’m your uncle—a count—and a direct descendant of Hespelt. Is this any way to treat your family?”

His biggest flaw had always been his obsession with things he couldn’t have.

He liked to pretend to be good-natured and generous, but the greed that peeked through in moments like this always made him look pitiful and grotesque.

“You’re nothing but a distant branch of the family now. You’re overreaching.”

She knew better than to provoke him, but she couldn’t help the frown that creased her brows.

“If you leave now, I won’t make an issue of this. But if you try anything—anything at all—I’ll formally protest to your house and make the matter public.”

“Protest? Make it public?”

Clu burst into loud laughter, as if the very idea was laughable.

“A little thing like you is threatening me?”

In a flash of rage, he threw his champagne glass. It hit the marble floor and shattered with a sharp, echoing crash.

“…!”

Shards of glass scattered—one of them must have hit her, because she felt a sharp sting on her arm. But she didn’t look. If she took her eyes off him now, she was afraid he’d lunge at her.

It’s fine. Just move carefully.

She shifted one step closer to the vase. Now, if she reached out, she could grab it.

“Think carefully, dear niece. You can be discarded at any moment. If you really want to survive, Rashid has to disappear.”

The words hit like venom.

Tericia bit her lip. Why do I have to listen to this filth?

Clu, pretending to be wounded, continued with his pitiful performance, eyebrows drooping in mock sadness.

“That boy is cold. Ruthless. He grew up unloved. He holds deep resentment toward you and your mother. He’s dangerous.”

“……”

“But I can help you. Your kind, gentle—you couldn’t hurt a fly. I know that. Let me deal with Rashid. I’ll help you take control of the duchy. If you just take my hand, I’ll protect you.”

Her grip on the fan tightened until her knuckles turned white.

“If you want to stay in the duchy… if you want to survive there… you have to get rid of Rashid.”

Tericia slowly curled her lips into a bitter smile.

“Did I ever say I wanted any of that?”

“What?”

“I’ve never once wanted anything you’re offering.”

Clu paused, thrown off by her words.

“Hespelt belongs to Rashid!”

With that, she threw her fan directly at him and lunged for the vase.

“Ugh!”

Caught off guard, Clu instinctively turned away and shut his eyes.

Tericia shoved the vase toward him with all her strength, then bolted for the balcony doors.

The crash was deafening—the vase shattered loudly, releasing a burst of strong floral scent. Her knees buckled slightly, but she pushed forward with all the strength she had left.

“You little—!”

His hand grazed her head, knocking off her hair ornament. But before he could reach her again, a dull thud rang out—and Count Clu was thrown back against the railing.

A strong arm wrapped tightly around Tericia, pulling her into a firm embrace.

A protective hold—unyielding, as if to shield her from the world.

She was so stunned, she couldn’t even scream.

“Heinz, secure the door.”

“Yes, sir!”

With a sigh of relief, the arms holding her tightened.

“…Rashid?”

“Yes, Tericia. It’s me.”

His voice came from above her head.

Her heart was pounding wildly. She couldn’t even tell if the deafening heartbeat belonged to her or not.

Did he hear it?
Did he hear all those disgusting words that snake said?

Tericia couldn’t lift her head. She couldn’t bring herself to look at his face.

What if… what if he thinks I feel the same way that man said I did?

What if he looks at me with accusing eyes?

Her body began to tremble. Her hand, shaking, clutched at Rashid’s clothing. His body had gone stiff against hers, but she didn’t notice. Her lips trembled as she finally spoke.

“Rashid…”

The words came out tight, like something was choking her.

“It’s not true.”

“……”

“I’ve never once wanted your place.”

“Tericia…”

Even when she had been accused of sending Rashid to war to get rid of him.

“No matter what Mother said, no matter what that man said… no matter how many vassals blamed me—I have never once wanted to take your place.”

They had all accused her of being a false daughter of Hespelt, a fraud trying to push out the rightful heir and claim the duchy for herself.

But Tericia had endured it all. She had believed that as long as she protected the duchy and held on until he returned, he would understand her.

She believed—Rashid would understand her heart.

Never—not once—had she thought of stealing Hespelt from him.

There was only one thing she had ever truly wanted:

“I only wanted you to come back safe.”

“……”

Just that you would survive.

“I just wanted you to return.”

She had never once said it aloud. She had always wanted to, but never had. Why couldn’t she?

“I never hated you.”

Every time, she had simply stood there, unable to speak, as he walked away.

‘Didn’t you wish for my death, Sister?’

“I never wished for you to die.”

‘You always hated me.’

“I never hated you.”

‘If I hadn’t existed, everything would’ve been yours.’

“Not once did I want anything that was yours.”

‘I never once wished for you to be my sister.’

“I only ever wished… that we could live together.”

‘May my death bring you peace, Sister.’

“Your death would never bring me peace.”

Rashid’s death had been her despair. Her fall into darkness.

Rashid looked down at Tericia trembling in his arms. Her small shoulders wouldn’t stop shaking. She kept speaking, like she couldn’t hold the words in any longer.

He didn’t know what had terrified her so deeply—but she poured out her pain without pause. Every word she cried out set a fire in his chest. Rage and sorrow burned inside him.

“I know, Tericia. I know.”

Rashid whispered as he gently held her, calming her.

“I know how much you’ve cared for me. I know how deeply you love me. I know.”

“……”

“Not once have I ever thought you hated me.”

“……”

“And I know how much you’ve sacrificed for me. I’ve always known. So…”

“……”

“I know… so you don’t have to cry anymore.”

Rashid gently pulled Tericia back from his chest, just a little. He looked down at her hand still trembling as it gripped his collar, her head bowed low.

He had to be careful not to tighten the hand still resting on her shoulder.

“Tericia.”

He knelt in front of her, lowering himself so their eyes could meet. Her deep violet eyes were blurred with tears.

Rashid reached out and wiped the tears from her face. Her lashes trembled as his long fingers brushed past her cheek, and more tears slipped down her skin.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, he spoke softly.

“Shall we go back to the estate?”

Tericia gave a small nod.

“Heinz, bring Sarah and Mandy.”

“Yes, sir.”

At the command, Heinz quickly left the balcony to retrieve her maids.

Rashid guided Tericia gently to the balcony railing and sat down with her. Then, with care, he lifted her into his lap and held her in his arms again, this time to comfort her, to calm her.

She didn’t resist. Maybe she was too exhausted. She simply rested her head against his shoulder and remained still.

He could feel her tears soaking through his clothes. Rashid clenched his jaw to stop himself from hugging her tighter than he should.

Even when Heinz returned and stood guard by the door, Rashid kept his arms around Tericia, quietly holding her.

A moment later, the young lady’s maids arrived.

“Please head back first and wait for a bit. We’ll follow soon after.”

“…Alright.”

Her voice had returned to something closer to normal. She had calmed down, at least somewhat.

Mandy said nothing, her lips pressed together. She quickly straightened her lady’s hair and dress, ensuring Tericia would look presentable when she stepped outside.

Then, with steady hands, Mandy and Sarah supported her and guided her out of the balcony.

Once they were gone, silence fell.

“Haa…”

Rashid exhaled long and hard, running a hand through his hair.

His golden eyes turned cold as they landed on the man collapsed at his feet—his uncle, Count Clu.

From the side, Heinz watched with bated breath.

He’s going to kill him…

And right now, no one would be able to stop him.

Only Tericia could’ve calmed him, but since the reason for his fury was Tericia, there was no stopping it.

Even Heinz had nearly lost it earlier when he entered the balcony and saw the broken flowerpot, shattered glass, and realized the lady had clearly tried to flee from Count Clu.

But Rashid… what must it have felt like for him?
If he hadn’t been the one to stop it, Heinz wasn’t sure he wouldn’t have strangled the count himself.

“Heinz.”

“Yes, sir.”

Rashid didn’t even glance at him. He simply stretched out his hand.

“My sword.”

“……”

Heinz instinctively reached for the weapon at his side—a sword granted by the Emperor for the protection of the Duke and his heir. But the moment he realized what Rashid might do, he froze.

He couldn’t hand it over.

“I’m sorry, Young Duke. I can’t.”

“Give it to me.”

“Even if you punish me for disobeying, I still can’t.”

Rashid finally looked at him—and Heinz’s heart sank.

That gaze was chilling. It froze him to his core.

But it only confirmed that he absolutely could not give him the sword.

“If something happens the moment I give you this sword… Lady Tericia will blame herself.”

Rashid’s eyes flicked away. Through the open balcony, he spotted Mandy and Sarah walking with Tericia toward the far side of the garden.

Heinz couldn’t begin to guess what the Young Duke was thinking as he watched her go.

But he silently hoped—begged—that Rashid wouldn’t do something he’d regret. Not for Tericia’s sake.

“Ugh…”

From the ground, Count Clu groaned as he started to wake up. His face twisted into a grimace as he opened bleary eyes to see Rashid staring down at him.

It was disgusting.

“Ra…shid…?”

Wham!

Without a word, Rashid kicked his uncle across the face—hard.

The force of the blow knocked the count out cold again.

“Sleep a little longer, dear Uncle.”

Rashid muttered, grinding his heel into the man’s face before pushing him away.

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and reined in his emotions.

Then he straightened his clothes, smoothed back his hair, and turned toward Heinz.

“Take him back to the Duke’s estate.”

“Yes, sir.”

Heinz bowed deeply in response.

Support The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out